Womanly touch keeps Istanbul shoeshine parlor alive

A distinct shoeshine parlor in Istanbul’s Beyoğlu district, Havai Lostra hosts people from all ranks of life with sincere conservations. The parlor is run by a ‘tough sister,’ changing the perceptions that shining shoes is solely a male occupation

Shoeshining requires manpower, yet it is undervalued, says Seher Örenler. DAILY NEWS photo, Emrah GÜREL

Havai Lostra, an authentic shoeshine parlor founded in 1951 in Istanbul’s Beyoğlu district, is run by a woman who keeps up the parlor tradition while challenging the idea that shining shoes is a man’s business.

Seher Örenler, who inherited the business after her father passed away 10 years ago, is a “tough sister” to whom customers show respect and courtesy. She stands out for her unique style, with short hair and jeans but delicate accessories.

“Customers entering the shop were surprised to see me at first, but they took it kindly over time,” said Örenler. She said before taking over the business she used to be a housewife.

Örenler said women should not hesitate to enter male-dominated occupations, as every job can be accomplished once it is truly loved. Örenler said those who approached her with prejudice in the past are proud of her success now.

“For a while, my brother ran the business. After seeing that the business was flourishing better with me, he left it in my hands,” said Örenler, adding that a woman’s touch can change an atmosphere positively.

According to Örenler, a high platform where customers can sit is a must at Havai Lostra. They use a variety of horsehair brushes and colorful paints delicately produced in their workshop.

The parlor’s comfortable high seats, outfitted with yellow brass, face the shoeshine men, who display their skills by knocking their brush once at the counter before shining the shoes.

“Shoe-shining requires manpower, yet it is undervalued. We have two or three steps and polish the shoe until the surface absorbs the varnish,” said Örenler. She criticized the usage of ready-mixed shoeshine sold at the supermarkets.

Furthermore, the shift to made-in-China shoes impedes the shoeshine sector, as the number of people getting their shoe heels repaired has substantially diminished, said Örenler. She said society has become extravagant by adopting a disposable mentality.

Her father’s beloved girl, Örenler is one of the few people left fighting to keep the “lostra” tradition alive in Istanbul. Saddened that the young generation does not know the meaning of lostra, or shoe-maintenance shop, Örenler is determined to introduce this cultural element to the masses.

“We took part in the Ramadan cultural festival organized at Taksim Square by the Beyoğlu Municipality, building a sample lostra to draw the interest of young people,” said Örenler.

The customer portfolio of Havai Lostra ranges from rich to poor. The lostra’s sincere atmosphere, reasonable prices and landmark status play a role in why people choose Havai, which became famous for its jingle: “Ohooo! Have you gotten new shoes? No, I’ve shined them at Havai Lostra.”

Among the shop’s frequenters are prominent artists, businessmen and ministers; these people coming to the lostra always cherish the old memory of Beyoğlu by wearing suits just as people used to walk in Beyoğlu in the past, Örenler said.

“The graduates of Galatasaray High School from the generation of the ’50s always stop by our shop after celebrating their reunion every year,” said Örenler, highlighting that Havai Lostra is an indispensable meeting point for many people.

Kemal Akdağ, a 30-year-old shoeshine man working at Havai Lostra whose fingers were stained black, said the business of shining shoes is traditionally a trade of the Roma people. Criticizing the so-called shoe-shiners on the streets who go into the business due to unemployment, Akdağ said most of them don’t even know how to swing their brushes properly.

“The mobile shoeshine boy cannot do justice to shoe-shining as he doesn’t have the strength to swing his brush,” said Akdağ, raising his thick voice in anger.

On the other hand, Akdağ said the mood at Havia Lostra is often cheerful because as Roma people they love to sing and dance while performing their jobs. “The beat of music does not leave here,” Akdağ said, adding that this is a unique trait of their “fun” lostra.

via Womanly touch keeps Istanbul shoeshine parlor alive – Hurriyet Daily News and Economic Review.